Masked Desires

Chapter 11: Killian

I stepped out onto the balcony, desperate for a moment of peace. Frustration was bubbling inside me, and I lit a cigarette, hoping the night air and smoke would ease my anger. My phone buzzed, and I saw it was Leo calling.

"Killian, we need to talk," Leo said, urgency in his voice. "I've got intel on Ralph, your ex-best friend."

"What about him?" I asked, trying to keep my irritation in check.

"He's more of a threat than we thought," Leo continued. "He's been getting too close to our interests and—"

I cut him off. "Not now, Leo. I've got personal shit to deal with."

Leo persisted. "This is important. Ralph—"

I turned around. Through the glass door, I saw Sophie drop her towel, revealing herself in delicate lingerie. My frustration dissolved into something more complex, and I found myself staring.

"Call me back later," I snapped, ending the call as my attention was pulled to a movement inside.

I stepped closer, my eyes fixed on her in awe. When she noticed me, her face flushed with anger. "You're such a dick," she spat, throwing her towel at me.

I raised my hands in mock surrender, laughing despite myself. "Alright, alright. I'm turning around."

I turned my back, but my mind was still racing. The sight of Sophie in her flimsy silk pajamas, combined with the unresolved issue of Ralph, was infuriating. Ralph was a serious threat, and his recent actions, including dancing with Sophie, only fueled my anger. My focus shifted between the immediate tension of Sophie's presence and the looming threat posed by Ralph.

Sophie's POV

I rummaged through the drawers, desperately searching for something modest and appropriate to wear. Everything I found was either too revealing or just not what I was in the mood for. Frustrated, I settled for the flimsy silk pajamas that felt too little protection against the chaos of my emotions.

I slipped into bed, positioning pillows between me and Killian to create a barrier. Tears streamed down my face as I buried my head in the covers, trying to block out the reality of the situation. I had hoped to find some solace in sleep, but the exhaustion only made my sobs more intense.

As I drifted off, I felt the bed shift. I half-awoke to find Killian removing the pillows I had so carefully placed. My heart pounded in my chest, but I forced myself to stay still. I felt his warm breath against my neck before he pressed his lips gently to my skin.

"I know you're angry," he murmured softly, his voice filled with an unfamiliar tenderness. "I'm sorry for everything. This... this is not what I wanted either. I just... I'm trying to keep you safe, even if it means making you hate me for now. Please, trust me. I didn't mean to hurt you."

He pulled me closer, his arms enveloping me in a protective embrace. "I know it's not fair. I know you don't understand why I'm doing this, but I need you to believe me when I say it's for the best. I don't want to lose you."

I felt his lips brush against my forehead one more time before he fell silent. The vulnerability in his words was jarring, and even though I wanted to respond, my body remained still as I processed the gravity of his confession.